roads are then used to leave London and climb over the North Downs into the Sussex Weald. After passing Gatwick airport, Stage 2 follows a disused railway east along the mid-Wealden ridge then turns south again (Stage 3) along another disused railway. Minor roads are taken through a gap in the South Downs to the port of Newhaven.
Once in France, a disused railway trackbed takes the route (Stages 4–5) from near Dieppe through the Bray (the French Weald) to Forges-les-Eaux then undulates over downland (Stage 6) before dropping into the Epte valley at Gisors. Another old railway (Stage 7) and a climb onto the Vexin plateau bring the route to the new town of Cergy-Pontoise on the edge of the Paris basin. Stage 8 crosses St Germain forest then follows river and canalside towpaths and city streets into Paris. The final leg (Stage 9) uses more canal towpaths and city streets to reach Notre Dame cathedral in the heart of the city.
Much of the route across the Vexin plateau is on gravel cycle tracks (Avenue Verte, Stage 7)
Natural environment
Physical geography
Prior to the last ice age, south-east England and Northern France were part of the same landmass and as a result share the same geological structure. After the ice age, sea levels rose cutting England off from continental Europe but leaving a series of chalk and limestone anticlinal ridges and clay and gravel filled synclinal depressions that cross both countries from west to east. These are a result of compression caused approximately 30 million years ago when the African and European tectonic plates collided and pushed up the Alps. Where erosion has removed the upper layers between ridges this has revealed sandstone bedrock (Mid-Wealden ridge in England) and created fertile agricultural land known as the Weald in England and the Bray in France. At the northern and southern ends of the route, both London and Paris sit in artesian basins bounded by chalk downland or limestone plateaux.
On both sides of the Channel rivers flow through the valleys between the ridges; including the Medway and Stour in England and the Canche, Somme, Oise and Epte in France. These valleys are mostly filled with tertiary deposits and have been extensively quarried for aggregates leaving large areas of water-filled gravel pits.
Wildlife
While several small mammals and reptiles (including rabbits, hares, squirrels, voles, water rats and snakes) may be seen scuttling across the track, this is not an area inhabited by larger animals with a few exceptions. Foxes are common in England, particularly in London where they can be seen foraging even by day, while many of the forests passed through have roe deer, fallow deer or muntjac populations. Boar can be found in French forests and there are some in south-east England although these are rarely seen. Badgers are common, but as nocturnal animals are unlikely to be encountered.
Preparation
Sauf cyclistes (cyclists excepted) shows contra-flow cycling allowed on a one-way street
When to go
The routes can be cycled at any time of year, but they are best followed between April and October when the days are longer, the weather is warmer and there is no chance of snow.
How long will it take?
Both routes have been broken into stages averaging just under 50km per stage. A summary of stage distances can be found in the route summary tables. A fit cyclist, cycling an average of 80km per day should be able to complete the eleven stages of the classic route in six days and the nine stages of Avenue Verte in five days. Allowing time for exploring Paris, the round trip can be accomplished in two weeks. A faster cyclist averaging 100km per day could complete the round trip in nine days, whereas those preferring a more leisurely pace of 60km per day would take about 17 days. There are many places to stay along both routes making it possible to tailor daily distances to your requirements.
What kind of cycle is suitable?
Most of the route is on asphalt cycle tracks or along quiet country roads. However, there are some stretches with gravel surfaces and, although most are well graded, there are some rougher sections, particularly on the Pilgrims’ Way (classic route, Stage 2) and Coulée Verte (classic route, Stage 8), which are not passable on a narrow tyred racing cycle. The most suitable type of cycle is either a touring cycle or a hybrid (a lightweight but strong cross between a touring cycle and a mountain bike with at least 21 gears). Except for the off-road Coulée Verte (classic route, Stage 8, which has an on-road alternative), there is no advantage in using a mountain bike. Front suspension is beneficial as it absorbs much of the vibration. Straight handlebars, with bar-ends enabling you to vary your position regularly, are recommended. Make sure your cycle is serviced and lubricated before you start, particularly the brakes, gears and chain.
As important as the cycle, is your choice of tyres. Slick road tyres are not suitable and knobbly mountain bike tyres not necessary. What you need is something in-between with good tread and a slightly wider profile than you would use for everyday cycling at home. To reduce the chance of punctures, choose tyres with puncture resistant armouring, such as a Kevlar™ band.
Getting there and back
The start and end points in London and Paris are in city centre locations. Regular fast Eurostar trains connect London St Pancras and Paris Gare du Nord stations enabling you to start or end your ride in either city. See Appendix D for a list of useful transport details.
| UK Nat Grid | Geographic | UTM | |
| Tower Hill | TQ336807 | 00º04’35’’W, 51º30’35’’N | 30U 700031E, 5709709N |
| London Eye | TQ307799 | 00º07’04’’W, 51º30’11’’N | 30U 702873E, 5710563N |
| St Pancras | TQ300832 | 00º07’38’’W, 51º32’00’’N | 30U 699243E, 5713049N |
| Eiffel Tower | 02º17’39’’W, 48º51’31’’N | 31U 448228E, 5411979N | |
| Notre Dame | 02º20’56’’W, 48º51’12’’N | 31U 452237E, 5411356N | |
| Gare du Nord | 02º21’17’’W, 48º52’56’’N | 31U 452695E, 5414559N |
Getting to the start
Main line, suburban and overground trains in London carry cycles. On underground trains in central London, cycles are permitted on sub-surface lines (Circle, District, Hammersmith & City, Metropolitan) but not on deep-tube lines (Bakerloo, Central, Jubilee, Northern, Piccadilly, Victoria, Waterloo & City). On all lines prohibitions apply during weekday rush hours.
The Tower of London is in front of Tower Hill underground station served by the Circle and District lines, both of which carry cycles, and is only a short ride from Cannon Street, Fenchurch Street, Liverpool Street and London Bridge railway stations and Aldgate on the Metropolitan line.
The
